Shine With Me (With Me in Seattle 15.5)

“Can you give me Ben’s address?”

She narrows her eyes on me dubiously. “Pretty sure I’m not supposed to do that.”

“I want to take him some dinner later. I want to do something for him. I’m the reason he’s in this mess. I promise, there’s nothing sinister going on here.”

Lisa thinks it over and then nods. “He could use some TLC. If he fires me, you have to have my back here.”

“He won’t fire you,” I assure her as she writes his address on a sticky note. “Thanks, Lisa.”

“You’re welcome.” She winks and then turns to answer the phone. I catch Ben’s attention and grin at him when he walks to me as his client takes a rest.

“I’m headed out,” I say.

“Listen, I’m so sorry that I’m pulled in a million directions.”

“You own a business, Ben. It happens. I’m getting my workouts in, and eating my meals. Everything’s fine. In fact, I have to meet the chef at my place in a little bit because he made me meals for the next few days.”

“Thanks for letting me give him your number,” he replies, looking back at the client. I know he’s antsy to get back to it.

“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I wave and turn to leave, already getting a plan in place for later. Our cheat day isn’t until tomorrow, but maybe I can start it this evening.

He’s been working extra hard, after all.* * * *It’s almost 9:15 p.m., and Ben should be home. Unless he stayed at the gym to work in his office, but I hope he left.

He lives in a townhouse about thirty minutes from where I’m staying. Which surprised me. That means he leaves his place at 5:30 in the morning every day just to train me. No wonder the poor man looks so dang tired.

When I pull into the driveway, I’m relieved to see lights on inside. I hope that means he’s here, and his SUV is tucked away inside the garage.

I walk to the front door and ring the bell, armed with a box of pizza that smells like heaven.

It only takes about thirty seconds for the door to open, and there he is, standing with the light behind him so he’s mostly in silhouette.

“Hey,” I say with a smile. “I know it’s a day early, but delivery!”

He holds the door open wide and gestures for me to come inside. His place is clean and simple. Pretty much what you’d expect a bachelor pad to look like.

He hasn’t said anything, so either he’s irritated that I’m here, or he’s mad.

Maybe he’s mad.

“You don’t have to eat it tonight.” I turn around. “And I know I should have texted or called. This is dumb. You just looked so tired earlier, and I wanted to do something nice for you. And I admit, I wanted to see you, even if it’s only for a minute. But I’ll just put this in your fridge and go because you’re probably exhausted and super annoyed that I just came over without being invited.”

I ramble when I’m nervous, and for some reason, I’m really nervous.

He takes the box from me, sets it on a table, and rather than reply, frames my face in his hands and kisses me long and slow. This kiss isn’t rushed or frantic like they’ve been in the past.

No, it’s sweet and gentle. And, honestly, just as powerful.

“Thank you,” he says at last and kisses my forehead. “It smells delicious, and I’ve only had a protein bar today. Cheat day can start a couple of hours early this week.”

I grin and flip the lid open. “I was hoping you’d say that. Pepperoni?”

“This is my favorite pizza, aside from Nic’s.”

“I know. I called Nic to ask.” I shrug and gesture to the kitchen. “Can I grab plates?”

“Sure, they’re above the coffee maker.”

I grab the plates and a few napkins and join him at the dining room table. “How are you really?”

“I wasn’t this tired when I was in the beginning stages of taking the business over from Rich,” he confesses and takes a big bite of pizza. “I can’t believe Damon just walked out like that. He was at the gym for a long time. Long before I took over. I didn’t fire anyone, I just added more trainers. I guess he didn’t like some of my changes. When Lisa told him that I’d added another client to his list, it tipped him over the edge and he just walked out.”

“I guess you won’t give him a reference.”

He shrugs and pops the last bite into his mouth. “I shouldn’t be bitching to you. You’re my client. Supposedly my only client right now.”

“I’m your friend, too,” I remind him and pull my feet up under me. “And we’re not working right now.”

He reaches for another slice. “Do you want to stay tonight?”